Following the New Zealand general election last night, Mr John Key, a 47-year-old, millionaire former currency trader became New Zealand's first conservative Prime Minister in ten years. Proving, mercifully, that sanity still prevails among voters in an English-speaking country.
Any inference of irony in the last sentence is subjective on your part, and was unintended on mine!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Why did the Republicans lose the election?
For a start, take a look at the guy at the top of the GOP ticket.
Now, don't get me wrong - I admire John McCain; and he wasn't the only reason they lost.
McCain has been a wonderful servant of his nation in peace and in war. He wanted to do what is right for the American people by serving as their President. Whilst he must shoulder some blame for not winning the Presidency, it was, as I said, by no means entirely his fault.
Whilst I'm talking about blame, I want any liberal or faux-conservative who is reading this to expunge from their mind immediately any notion that the Republicans lost this election because McCain chose Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, to be his running mate. Without Palin, McCain might have won Oklahoma, but precious little else. His choice of running mate was inspired. The GOP's choice of Presidential candidate, however, was not. And it is the GOP at whose feet the carcass of this election campaign now lies.
I refuse to believe that there is such a paucity of talent in the Republican party that it thought its best chance of winning was with a (then) 71-year-old Senator from Arizona. For all his graces, experience, and wartime service, he was, throughout this campaign, immensely uninspiring. Sure, he tried to rouse the faithful with his "stand up and fight" mantra - but it was never going to cut it.
In a perfect world, McCain should have won this election despite his shortcomings. But the final result vindicates my belief that voters are naive and easily conned. Any savvy they have sadly does not extend to understanding political philosophies and ideologies. For such people, personality will always win over political substance. This, however, is by no means a trait exclusive to American voters; my own country, in its last federal election in November 2007, is case in point. And Australians are already asking themselves what on earth it was they did twelve months ago.
After any election defeat - for whichever is the vanquished party - there will always be cries that their time is over, or this is the end for such-and-such.
This, of course, is utter garbage. Defeats, whilst unpleasant for a team's members and supporters, are often the only time parties can take stock, and do some soul-searching.
It was always going to be a tough ask to get the GOP across the line when it has already had eight years in power; but, elections are cyclical things. Political parties change like the seasons, and the Republicans' time will again come.
One saving grace out of all this is that John McCain has drawn back the curtain on a shining Alaskan star. And for that, all Republicans should be forever grateful to him.
Now, don't get me wrong - I admire John McCain; and he wasn't the only reason they lost.
McCain has been a wonderful servant of his nation in peace and in war. He wanted to do what is right for the American people by serving as their President. Whilst he must shoulder some blame for not winning the Presidency, it was, as I said, by no means entirely his fault.
Whilst I'm talking about blame, I want any liberal or faux-conservative who is reading this to expunge from their mind immediately any notion that the Republicans lost this election because McCain chose Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, to be his running mate. Without Palin, McCain might have won Oklahoma, but precious little else. His choice of running mate was inspired. The GOP's choice of Presidential candidate, however, was not. And it is the GOP at whose feet the carcass of this election campaign now lies.
I refuse to believe that there is such a paucity of talent in the Republican party that it thought its best chance of winning was with a (then) 71-year-old Senator from Arizona. For all his graces, experience, and wartime service, he was, throughout this campaign, immensely uninspiring. Sure, he tried to rouse the faithful with his "stand up and fight" mantra - but it was never going to cut it.
In a perfect world, McCain should have won this election despite his shortcomings. But the final result vindicates my belief that voters are naive and easily conned. Any savvy they have sadly does not extend to understanding political philosophies and ideologies. For such people, personality will always win over political substance. This, however, is by no means a trait exclusive to American voters; my own country, in its last federal election in November 2007, is case in point. And Australians are already asking themselves what on earth it was they did twelve months ago.
After any election defeat - for whichever is the vanquished party - there will always be cries that their time is over, or this is the end for such-and-such.
This, of course, is utter garbage. Defeats, whilst unpleasant for a team's members and supporters, are often the only time parties can take stock, and do some soul-searching.
It was always going to be a tough ask to get the GOP across the line when it has already had eight years in power; but, elections are cyclical things. Political parties change like the seasons, and the Republicans' time will again come.
One saving grace out of all this is that John McCain has drawn back the curtain on a shining Alaskan star. And for that, all Republicans should be forever grateful to him.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The media in Australia can't hide their excitement (for BHO)
Yet again, Channel 9 news (along with the rest of the Australian media) is having trouble countenancing a possible Republican win tomorrow, viz this commentary at the end of a story tonight on the US election:
I suppose it was nice of him to add that little caveat at the end - most don't bother. Let's hope anything does happen, and, when it does, I will be emailing a letter (all of six words) to the editor of The Australian newspaper as soon as the magic 270 number comes up for the Republicans. I can't wait!ANCHOR (Mark Ferguson)...Peter, with so many yet to vote, I guess there's even more travelling ahead for Senator McCain?
REPORTER (Peter Stefanovic) Senator McCain votes tomorrow morning, Mark, and then he has two campaign stops in two other US states. His running mate, Sarah Palin, will then head to Anchorage in Alaska and cast her vote - and the two will meet here (Arizona) tomorrow evening for a speech - which is expected to be a concession speech - but, Mark, this is US politics, and anything can happen.
Monday, November 3, 2008
A final Appeal to American voters
I know you guys have been able to vote for a while now in this election, but, for those of you who haven't been to a polling booth yet, please remember what is at risk here.
At every election you will hear pundits tell you that "this is the most important election we have ever faced" - almost to the extent where that phrase has lost any impact it ever had. But, that saying should have impact now, because it is very apt for this Presidential election.
I have already written why I think John McCain is deserving of your vote.
I will simply say here, have courage, America.
Have the courage to vote for substance over populism.
And have faith that your fellow countrymen and women will realise what is at risk at this election, and will vote with courage also.
At every election you will hear pundits tell you that "this is the most important election we have ever faced" - almost to the extent where that phrase has lost any impact it ever had. But, that saying should have impact now, because it is very apt for this Presidential election.
I have already written why I think John McCain is deserving of your vote.
I will simply say here, have courage, America.
Have the courage to vote for substance over populism.
And have faith that your fellow countrymen and women will realise what is at risk at this election, and will vote with courage also.
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